"The sea is king of the valleys and streams
because it is willing to be beneath them.
One who wishes to guide the people
should be humble in her speech toward them.
One who wishes to lead the people
must learn the art of following them.
The sage is above the people,
but they don't feel her weight.
She stays ahead of the people,
and no harm comes to them.
She has the affection of the whole world.
Because she contends with no one,
no one can contend with her."
I don't even know where to begin when it comes to humility. At Newman Club in college one evening a friend pondered whether it's really possible to be humble and know it; taking pride in one's humility seems like the ultimate oxymoron. Perhaps this is the point at which to distinguish--as one always must do thoughtfully, according to the Tao--between pride and dignity: The basic knowledge that one is loved and deserving of life. The basic knowledge that inspires humility. The basic knowledge that I still struggle so hard even to believe.
because it is willing to be beneath them.
One who wishes to guide the people
should be humble in her speech toward them.
One who wishes to lead the people
must learn the art of following them.
The sage is above the people,
but they don't feel her weight.
She stays ahead of the people,
and no harm comes to them.
She has the affection of the whole world.
Because she contends with no one,
no one can contend with her."
I don't even know where to begin when it comes to humility. At Newman Club in college one evening a friend pondered whether it's really possible to be humble and know it; taking pride in one's humility seems like the ultimate oxymoron. Perhaps this is the point at which to distinguish--as one always must do thoughtfully, according to the Tao--between pride and dignity: The basic knowledge that one is loved and deserving of life. The basic knowledge that inspires humility. The basic knowledge that I still struggle so hard even to believe.
No comments:
Post a Comment